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Despair in the Russian Village
text and photographs by Sean Sprague
(From Catholic Near East March – April 1997)
A visit to the village of Vazhini and encounters with some of its despondent residents.

Moscow Churches
by Michael J.L. La Civita
(From Catholic Near East May – June 1994)
As the churches of Moscow are restored, Russian nationalism resurges.

This Year, Moscow
by Michael J.L. La Civita
(From Catholic Near East November 1993)
A trip to Moscow unearths more questions than answers.

Orthodoxy Renewed
text by Victor Sonkin with photographs by Julia Vishnevets
(From ONE magazine March 2010)
Russias church wrestles with a changing society

Elizabeth to Elizabeth
by Eileen Reinhardphotographs by Sean Sprague
(From CNEWA WORLD November – December 2002)
Heroism as heritage for a Russian convent.

Saga of a Saint
by Sergei Bassehes
(From CNEWA WORLD September – October 2001)
Did a young monk know that by following his faith he would leave his mark on history?

Sprouts from the Ashes
text and photographs by George Martin
(From Catholic Near East November – December 1999)
New life from old roots  the Russian Orthodox Church overcomes the challenges of post-Communist Russia.

The Resurrection of Solovetsky
text and photographs by George Martin
(From Catholic Near East January – February 1998)
Founded in the 13th century, the Solovetsky Monastery, a refuge for saints and sinners alike, plays an integral role in Russian history.

A Dormition Awakening
text and photographs by George Martin
(From Catholic Near East July – August 1998)
In the industrial town of Kondopoga, the Russian Orthodox celebration of the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is a big event.

Assyrians in Russia
text by Sergei Mikhailovtranslated by Felix Corleyphotographs by Elena Bit-Sargis
(From Catholic Near East September – October 1998)
The remnant of a once mighty people struggles to find a place in 20th-century Russia.

European Russia’s Latin Catholics
text and photographs by Sean Sprague
(From Catholic Near East May – June 1997)
Amidst a new religious freedom in post-Communist Russia, the Latin Catholic Church can minister openly to its faithful – and attract some new members.

Bari’s Borrowed Wonder Worker
text and photographs by Michael J.L. La Civita
(From Catholic Near East July – August 1997)
In the southern Italy city of Bari, an annual celebration commemorates St. Nicholas, the Wonder Worker.

Russia’s Rocky Road to God
text and photographs by Sean Sprague
(From Catholic Near East March – April 1996)
Confused and unsure in their new post-Communist land, Russia’s Orthodox Christians turn to their church for guidance.

A Pilgrimage Through Eastern Europe
text and photographs by Michael J.L. La Civita
(From Catholic Near East March 1993)
Excerpts from the editor’s journal, kept while on a January trip to Poland, Ukraine and Russia.

Catholic, Orthodox Leaders Urge Reconciliation
Catholic News Service (2 July 2012)
WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — Catholic and
Orthodox leaders from Poland and Russia will issue a
joint statement committing their churches to fostering
reconciliation between the two historically feuding
countries.

Ukrainian Catholics Oppose Language Law
Catholic News Service (13 July 2012)
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Church leaders in
Ukraine have signed an open letter calling for Ukrainian
President Viktor Yanukovych not to sign a law that would
grant Russian, spoken by most people in eastern and
southern Ukraine, regional language status.

Russian Catholics Surprised by Government Raids
Catholic News Service (12 April 2013)
OXFORD, England (CNS) — Russia’s Catholic Church expressed surprise and concern after a wave of raids on its parishes and charities, part of a government clampdown on organizations with foreign links.

Priest: Ukrainian Catholics Flee Crimea Over Threats of Arrest
Catholic News Service (26 March 2014)
OXFORD, England (CNS) — Members of the Ukrainian Catholic Church are fleeing Crimea to escape threats of arrest and property seizures, a priest told Catholic News Service just four days after Russia finalized the region’s annexation.

Pope Prays for Victims of Downed Plane
Catholic News Service (21 July 2014)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Though exactly what happened to Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 remained unclear, Pope Francis offered prayers for the 298 passengers and crew members who died when it came down in eastern Ukraine.

In Eastern Ukraine, Church Has ‘Returned to Catacombs’
Catholic News Service (18 December 2014)
WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — Ukrainian Catholic leaders have warned their church is being driven underground again, a quarter-century after it was re-legalized with the end of communist rule.

Ukrainian Priest Says His Emotional Captivity Was Worse Than Physical
Catholic News Service (14 July 2015)
LVIV, Ukraine (CNS) — Ukrainian Catholic Father Tykhon Kulbaka was headed to the chapel in the room rented by the local Catholic community. En route, he stopped at a grocery store, where four men grabbed him, blindfolded him and made him breathe chloroform.

Picture of the Day: Russian Renaissance
Alexander and Margarita Mamin prefer to work on icons with their religious themes rather than papier-mâché boxes and plates with secular motifs, which the Soviets had insisted upon. (photo: Sean Sprague)

Picture of the Day: Standing Guard in Crimea
An icon of Mary and the Christ child is seen as members of the Crimean self-defense unit stand guard outside the local government headquarters in Simferopol, Ukraine, on 2 March. (photo: CNS/David Mdzinarishvili, Reuters)